1. Community Council
Fostering a trusted gathering place where people engage in dialogue, inquiry, and advocacy to build a vibrant region for everyone.

2. 2018-19 Community Council Study Topic
Affordable Housing
Community Council Study Topic
Study Criteria:
Manageable
Citizen interest
Important
Effective
Necessary
Timely

3. Study Process Identify Study Committee Chair
Invite residents to participate in the study
Convene Study Management Team
Refine issue statement
Draft preliminary syllabus
Engage resource speakers
Begin study…

4. Affordable Housing Issue Statement
Explore the need for safe and affordable housing in the region.
Consider the broader dynamics of economic growth that impact wages and housing costs.
Investigate the production of housing stock, and factors that impact the costs of housing.
Identify barriers that people face when trying to access safe and affordable housing.
Recommend ways to meet the need for safe and affordable housing.

5. Study Meetings 17 weeks of resource speakers
3 weeks to review findings report
3 weeks to draft conclusions
3 weeks to draft recommendations

6. Study Outcomes Findings report to share with the community
Recommendations to direct advocacy work for the next 2-3 years

7. Study Process Outcomes
Encourage active listening
Build shared knowledge
Consensus-based decision-making process
Foster community and guide collective action

8. 41% of residents do not live in housing that is affordable
Findings - Highlights
41% of residents do not live in housing that is affordable

10. Production Home Builder Affordability Gap Calculation, 2018
HAI Calculation (WRERC, 2018 Q3)
Annual income
$50,439 (Median Household Income, City of Walla Walla)
$62,700 (Median Family Income, Walla Walla County)
Down payment 5%
20%
Interest rate
4.77%
Taxes
Not included
Mortgage insurance
Mortgage type
30-year conventional
Median House Price
273,900
238,100
Affordable? NO
$247,261 is affordable for the median-income household, the affordability gap is
$26,639.
YES
HAI is 131.2, the median-priced home is affordable to the median-income household.

11. Findings - Highlights
41% of residents do not live in housing that is affordable
There is an inventory mismatch

13. Findings - Highlights
41% of residents do not live in housing that is affordable
There is an inventory mismatch
Transportation costs add to the cost of housing
Weatherization and repair help preserve existing housing stock

15. Findings - Highlights
41% of residents do not live in housing that is affordable
There is an inventory mismatch
Transportation costs add to the cost of housing
Weatherization and repair help preserve existing housing stock
There are barriers to accessing affordable housing

16. Next Step
Implementation Task Force convenes to begin advocating for study recommendations: fall 2019.